Kiraitu comes to CJ Koome’s defence
By Dorcas Mbatia, March 18, 2025Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has defended Chief Justice Martha Koome claiming her woes are fuelled by the government systems for failing to conspire with their demands during the last general election.
Kiraitu said Koome is a victim of a conspiracy, adding that the same government systems that appointed her to power are fighting her and scheming for her ouster.
In an exclusive interview with People Daily, Kiraitu regretted that Lady Justice Koome is paying the price of making William Ruto the President in 2022 elections.
The former senator joined other Meru leaders in condemning plans to remove Koome from office, saying she is clean and innocent adding that she is only being fought by the same forces that she protected in the last election.
Forces fighting Koome
“It is very unfortunate Martha played a great role in making Ruto the President after refusing to allow presidential re-run in 2022 so the same forces that put her in power are the same forces fighting her because they are still very bitter,” said Kiraitu.
He claimed that the corruption and bribery allegations in the Judiciary were just mere allegations and schemes to oust her from office.
“What has Martha as a person done to them? I know her as a person she is only being crucified because she refused to be part of the conspiracy and nullify the presidential elections,” Kiraitu added.
Kiraitu further disclosed that Koome had to go into hiding and put her mobile phone off to ensure Kenyans get their legally elected president.
“Martha had to go into hiding after pressure heated at the Bomas of Kenya after Ruto won against former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who was calling for nullification of the election. Martha refused to enter into the conspiracy and instead allowed the swearing-in of Ruto and that is why she is facing all these problems,” Kiraitu noted.
Different formations
He further claimed that the same forces are coming into different formations including the top lawyers who are calling for her ouster.
“It’s just the same system that is coming for Martha in different formations. You have seen top lawyers like Paul Muite, Dr Gibson Kamau and Nelson Havi coming to criticize her. These are the formations I am talking about. They know the CJ is just innocent,” added Kiraitu.
Kiraitu called on the President to ensure the Judiciary is not captured to allow it execute its constitutional duties without any political interference.
The 64-year-old CJ, born in Mwiteria village in Meru and the first woman Chief Justice in Kenya has recently found herself in the battle with some leaders and senior lawyers calling for her resignation, accusing her of tolerating and failing to curb corruption in the judiciary.
Despite the onslaught Koome is on record telling off critics whom she said were trying to use all malicious tricks to intimidate her and push her out of office.
‘Their aim I know is to scare me, distract, defame and hound me out of office but I am not scared because I know I work and deliver my service within the constitutional mandates,” said Koome.
On January 23, she also went public and announced her security was withdrawn a move that saw criticism to the government as Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen defended the State claiming that the move was normal security changes that did not warrant public outcry.
Kiraitu has joined the Meru senator Kathuri Murungi, the nine Meru MPs and Njuri Ncheke council of elders to call for the CJ protection saying she is equal to the task contrary to her accusations.
Murkomen who spoke in Meru on Wednesday when he commissioned the new Abogeta sub county, assured the community that the Chief Justice will be protected by the government and the State will not interfere with the independence of the judiciary.
He urged Kenyans not to fall into propaganda. He accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of spearheading unfounded rumours about CJ removal.
“Nobody will interfere with Martha Koome. She is going nowhere. Ignore those spreading divisive politics because the government under William Ruto will not interfere with the judiciary and we will protect her so that she can succeed in her work,” said Murkomen.
He made the remarks after Kiraitu called on Njuri Ncheke council of elders to bestow a curse to anybody scheming or planning to remove her from office emphasizing the need to respect the judiciary and upholding the rule of the law.
Recently the former DP Rigathi Gachagua accused Ruto of planning to axe Koome from the seat for his own political interest. Speaking in Maua Igembe North two weeks ago Gachagua asked Ruto not dare step foot in Meru if he removes the CJ from office.
“I wonder why Meru MPs are silent when one of their own is being fought because she has refused to be a ‘Yes Sir ‘ CJ. Just like I was removed now he wants to come for Mt Kenya East leaders. We will not allow that,” said Gachagua.